Project Masnavi is the anticipated third album from acclaimed Persian-jazz group, Eishan Ensemble. Inspired by the lyrical poetry of Rumi’s epic masterpiece, Masnavi - one of the most precious books in Persian literature, the album weaves beautiful imagery and stories reflective on Rumi’s work into layered soundscapes and sophisticated compositions. The album showcases the increasingly ambitious compositions of bandleader, composer and tar player, Iranian-born Hamed Sadeghi, alongside saxophonist Michael Avgenicos, guitarist Pedram Layegh, percussionist Adem Yilmaz, bassist Maximillian Alduca and special guests, accordion player Marcello Maio and drummer Alex Inman-Hislop.

Pink Milk is the second album by Melbourne based trio Koi Kingdom featuring saxophonist Cheryl Durongpisitkul, bassist Stephen Hornby and guitarist Marcos Villalta. Pink Milk captures the groups’ raw energy and playful interaction on eight original compositions. The release highlights the groups’ long episodic pieces, interlocking contrapuntal melodies, quasi-latin grooves, humour and playful interaction. The detailed arrangements and intermittent improvisations showcase their quirky, considered and unpredictable aesthetic.

Since Subito is the second album by experimental-folk-jazz duo, Meatshell, winners of the 2020 Maastricht Jazz Award. Featuring two of Australia’s most distinctive emerging artists, double bassist/vocalist Helen Svoboda and tenor saxophonist Andrew Saragossi, Meatshell share a curiosity for the subtle beauty of things. Since Subito cultivates unconventional sound worlds, transcending traditional song forms by emphasising the power of story-telling through sound. The duo’s quirky and abstract songwriting style illustrates the full emotional spectrum of the human condition: beautiful melodies and euphoric grooves are juxtaposed against moments of mystery, desperation and screaming chaos, as the duo contemplate climate change, mental illness and new birth.

My Trio Album is the thrilling debut from renowned Melbourne based pianist James Bowers. Recorded at Tokyo's Studio Dede, the album features Earshift Music favourites, drummer Shun Ishiwaka and double bassist Marty Holoubek. The nine Bowers originals embody influences from Aaron Parks, Paul Bley, Messiaen, Prokofiev, Electric Wizard, J Dilla and Philadelphia Experiment, creating a musical exploration through Bowers’ broad stylistic vision. Performed with technical brilliance, lyrical beauty and, at times, explosive energy, the album presents a refreshing take on the acoustic piano trio format.

Berardi Foran Karlen’s new album, Haven, showcases captivating melodies, lush harmonies and emotive collective improvisation. Featuring three distinctive composer-performers including vocalist Kristin Berardi, pianist Sean Foran, and saxophonist Rafael Karlen, the ensemble builds on years of performances and a shared musical vision. With special guest Luxembourg-based Vibraphonist Pascal Schumacher, the album highlights the ensembles’ intimate dynamics, sensitivity and varied compositions.

Paul Cutlan’s String Project launch their keenly anticipated second album Living. The program traces a narrative which traverses human life and its myriad experiences in compositions by Cutlan himself, Gary Daley, Jann Rutherford, John Coltrane and Jenna Cave.

The planning of this album developed between the time of Australia’s catastrophic bushfires in January 2020, and the onset of the global pandemic in March. The two-day recording took place in the final week before Australia’s lockdown, bringing a halt to public music-making and most of life’s normality. With person-to-person contact severely limited, the fragility of life and the value of our connections is brough into sharper focus. The repertoire on this album serves as an antidote to the shock and trauma of this time as well as an affirmation of continuing existence of life.

Given the year that we’ve had, we are really excited about presenting the third edition of the Earshift Music Fest. This year’s festival is part of the new frontier of festivals across the world, adopting new technologies of engaging audiences through a hybrid program. You can watch performances live, watch them live streamed and after the fact, and listen to the label’s recordings on a curated playlist on spotify. Earshift Music Fest 2020 celebrates the diverse music making of both Australian jazz luminaries and the next generation of artists from the Earshift Music label.

Treading Water is the long-awaited debut from Avgenicos Brothers. Featuring saxophonist Michael Avgenicos and his brother, trumpeter Tom Avgenicos, the joint project sees them alongside some of Sydney’s leading young jazz artists including pianist Novak Manojlovic (Freedman Jazz Fellowship winner), guitarist Felix Lalanne (Montreux International Guitar Competition finalist), bassist Nick Henderson and drummer Alex Hirlian (National Jazz Award Winner). This debut embodies the brothers’ lifelong musical dialogue amongst a love of modern jazz, groove and electronic sound scapes.

Bringing together four of Melbourne’s most prodigal young jazz artists, The Rest is Silence’s debut album A Short Film, explores melodically driven compositions against a backdrop of indie-rock, country, and electronica. Featuring siblings Flora Carbo (alto saxophone) and Theo Carbo (guitar) alongside long-time friends Isaac Gunnoo (double bass) and Maddison Carter (drums), their music is a breath of fresh air, fearlessly moving between genres to create a soundtrack to the multiplicity of our modern lives.

Pistils is the debut recording from Sri Lankan/Australian jazz drummer and composer, Rajiv Jayaweera. The album showcases eight compelling, thoughtful originals, which draw inspiration from Sri Lanka. Jayaweera’s compositions feature strong melodies and beauty, coupled with intricate bass lines and rhythmic interplay. His band of Chris Cheek (soprano & tenor saxophones), Aaron Parks (piano), Hugh Stuckey (guitar) and Sam Anning (double bass), truly display why they are amongst the most revered and sought-after musicians on the scene today.

Tokyo-based Australian bassist-composer Marty Holoubek’ debut album Trio I, out through Earshift Music/Apollo Sound, is a memoir to the adventures, trials and tribulations of relocating to a foreign country and building a new life. Featuring his long-time musical collaborators, extraordinary drummer Shun Ishiwaka and pianist James Bowers, the album is a highly dynamic musical exploration of the piano trio format.

Laniakea is the new album from Trio Kleine Ahnung, a collaboration between guitarist Carl Morgan, bassist Sam Anning and drummer Raj Jayaweera. Spawned from a week off from a busy European tour schedule, the members contribute stand-out compositions and performances that draw inspiration from indie-rock, Radiohead and German folk-song, creating an impressive album that stands on the shoulders of guitar greats such as Bill Frisell and Kurt Rosenwinkel.

Holopeak reorganise minimalism, jazz, rock and electronica into a new sound world through extended improvised forms. Their debut album Summit Over is a powerful statement from young three creative visionaries, Nick Mielczarek (guitar), Harry Birch (bass) and Chloe Kim (drums) set to embark on new Australian musical horizons.

Earshift Music Presents 2019 showcase event: Holopeak 'Summit Over’ album launch / Steve Barry Blueprints Trio / Sam Gill'S Coursed Waters / Ellen Kirkwood + Hilary Giddes UNDERWARDS,
Come celebrate 10 years for the Earshift Music label and the launch of Holopeak’s new album 'Summit Over’
10 October 2019, Lazybones Lounge Marrickville

Recorded in NYC, Franklin’s new album ‘Amen’ features the bassist-composer in an impressive collaboration with pianist Marc Hannaford and drummer Satoshi Takeishi. Amen showcases Franklin’s intriguing compositions, featuring intricate rhythmic relationships between the players and the merging of acoustic and electronic elements.

This 2 CD set is the much-awaited follow-up to trumpeter Phil Slater’s critically acclaimed recording The Thousands, and expands the creative development of one of Australia’s most original and uncompromising artists.  The music is paradoxically calm and meditative whilst bristling with an undercurrent of energy and stream-of-consciousness excitement found in all of the best jazz music.

Vocalist-composer Elly Hoyt’s third album "The Composers’ Voice: Celebrating Australian Women Composers", will be released 16th August through Earshift Music. The album is a commissioning project that presents her alongside some of Melbourne’s best jazz artists.

The Composers’ Voice presents a diverse set of compositions from celebrated Australian composers including Andrea Keller, Gian Slater, Georgia Weber, Louise Denson, Sonja Horbelt, Shannon Barnett, Tamara Murphy and Hoyt herself. The music is brought to life by an all-star band including pianist Andrea Keller, trumpeter Mat Jodrell, saxophonist Julien Wilson, trombonist, James Macaulay, bassist Sam Anning and drummer James McLean.

Sydney based saxophonist-composer Sam Gill announces his new album Many Altered Returns. The album is the first release by his quartet Coursed Waters, a Melbourne/Sydney collaboration featuring drummer James McLean alongside pianist Novak Manojlovic and bassist Jacques Emery.  The music navigates expanses of open improvisation within Gill’s provocative multi-sectional compositions, moving between moments of extreme density to whispering repose. 

“When talking about Scott you run the risk of hyperbolic overload. I simply can’t name any player with more technique, creativity, power, imagination and beauty than Scott. Playing with him has been a highlight of my musical life and listening to him is a constant joy.” Scott Tinkler

Rock Dog documents the first moments of this cross-generational line-up between three of Australia’s most forward-thinking improvisers.